Successful Failure

Lessons Learned Flat on My Face

De: Kevin Fredericks

Narrado por: Kevin Fredericks

Being successful is no laughing matter . . . unless the road there is littered with flops, fool’s errands, fizzles, and straight-up failures—from the New York Times bestselling co-author of Marriage Be Hard.

“I’m so happy Kev failed, because these stories will set so many free from perfection!”—Tabitha Brown, bestselling author of Feeding the Soul

Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage) is a viral stand-up star, an NAACP Image Award-winning comedian, the founder of KevOnStage Studios, a New York Times bestselling author, and a superstar on social media. But his path to success wasn’t always smooth. As a kid, Kevin noticed something useful: If he made people laugh, the grown-ups would let him stay up late. In church plays, his commitment to the role of Goliath led to a busted lip, and the audience couldn’t get enough. He dreamed of becoming a performer, of finding that big break that would launch him into the bright lights of pop culture fame. But as he soon found, the road to the life we want is longer, weirder, more embarrassing, and more entertaining than we think it will be.

In Successful Failure, the comedian recounts hilarious stories and sincere insight from his adventures (and misadventures) trying to make it in life. From performing under an alias to avoid getting fired from his suit-and-tie day job to breaking a chair onstage and quitting stand-up for six months, from pooping his pants on a bus next to his future wife to starting a clothing line called Dreams Don’t Die (they sure do if the merch doesn’t sell), Kevin reminds listeners that while we might not be The Rock, Warren Buffett, or Kevin Hart, we’re all out here trying, and that’s okay.

Laugh-out-loud in one moment and perceptive in the next, Successful Failure is a wild ride from one of America’s funniest comics and a sendup of our ideals around hustle culture and success.

©2025 Kevin Fredericks (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“As someone who’s caught quite a few Ls myself on my own journey to success (and is still catching them!), I relate to Kev’s hysterical honesty, bold transparency, and earnest desire for readers to learn from his mistakes as they fulfill their dreams. There’s wishful thinking and there’s practical application—Successful Failure offers both (but HEAVY on the practical . . . and we thank Kev for it!)”—Yvonne Orji, actor, comedian, and author of Bamboozled by Jesus

“Failure is often funny. Especially when Kev fails. So get this book. You’re going to learn some things, laugh, and find out that you can’t be scared to fail out here.”—Tony Baker, actor and comedian

“Fredericks’s . . . affable tone and can-do attitude bolster his valuable advice to view one’s career in less binary terms—‘Failure isn’t the end, but neither is success,’ he contends, describing personal growth and fulfillment as the real payoff. The result is an upbeat encouragement for readers to pick themselves up and try again.”—Publishers Weekly

Great

Great. This is just a great book. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a funny, humble, and candid story.

So inspiring…

I’ve been a long time fan of Kev so to hear this side of his story takes my respect and admiration for him and his body of work to new heights.

Entertaining and inspiring

Excellent and inspiring storytelling of a journey to success over almost two decades. Congratulations on being a "successful failure" and not allowing setbacks to stop you from pushing toward your dreams! We've watched you grow over the years and are proud to continue cheering you on with each new milestone. Thank you for sharing your story!

This was Great!!

Truly you can see the hand of God!! This book is funny, and inspiring. I would listen again and again, just to hone in on the lessons learned.

Thank you Kevin for your transparency!

Learned a lot about Kevin

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it and learned about his life. This is a good read.

This was awesome!!!

Everything about this was really enjoyable!! I truly appreciate Mr. Frederick’s’ personable story of inspiration! Thank you!

The push I didn’t know I needed

After following Kev for so many years, this just gave me the motivation to keep going. Growth happens during the failure.

Authentic storytelling

I loved this entire book. Kevin’s storytelling was amazing. I loved this book as it’s hilarious, inspiring, and authentic. Great book!!

I didn’t think it would motivate me , but it did.

I thought this book would just be cute, funny, and cheesy but it’s so much more. It made me laugh and reflect on my own journey. Sometimes we forget to give ourselves grace.

Excellent!! Motivational and Inspiring

I thoroughly enjoyed this audible, it was so relatable and touched on things me and my husband have experienced and things we are going through currently, it lifted my spirits and confirmed that my husband and I can follow our passions and still serve the lord, can’t wait to meet kev and lisa one day beautiful and inspiring couple!